Ave Spotlight

Episode 200: From MTV to Ministry with Joe Melendrez

September 28th, 2026  |  31 mins 21 secs

ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcast, evangelization, hip-hop artist, hip-hop evangelist, joe melendrez, oscar rivera

Oscar sits down with Catholic hip-hop artist and evangelist Joe Melendrez for a conversation about identity, creativity, and what happens when an encounter with God redirects your entire life. From appearing on MTV as a teenager to encountering the Holy Spirit at a teen A.C.T.S. retreat, Joe shares how he discovered that his gifts for music, dancing, and performance weren’t meant to build up the world but to glorify God. We explore why Catholic artist should pursue excellence, not because we are perfect but because our God is so perfect.

Episode 199: From Consumer to Contributor feat. Lauren Gothard

September 16th, 2026  |  46 mins 53 secs

ave spotlight, catholic podcast, free catholic podcast, lauren gothard, life transitions, navigating major life transitions, oscar rivera

Oscar sits down with Lauren Gothard to discuss how to navigate major transitions without retreating into what feels comfortable. Starting with an insightful takeaway from Spider-Man, they explore what happens when life shifts and we are challenged to embrace who we are becoming rather than clinging to who we’ve been.

Lauren and Oscar dive into the difference between being a consumer of faith and an active contributor to the Gospel. Lauren shares practical insights on overcoming the fear of sharing our faith, getting past the mental blocks that quiet the Holy Spirit, and recognizing that goodness is meant to be shared with those around us. She reminds us that God meets us as a healer in our brokenness so that we can step out in courage. Whether you’re heading to college, entering a new season, trying to deepen your faith, or just wondering whether God is real, this episode offers a simple challenge: give God an opportunity to lead you somewhere new.

Episode 198: Going to College, Growing in Holiness with Meg Hunter-Kilmer

September 1st, 2026  |  42 mins 54 secs

ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcast, catholicism, college and faith, college readiness, meg hunter-kilmer, oscar rivera, stay rooted in christ, university of notre dame

On this episode of Ave Spotlight, Meg Hunter-Kilmer talks about staying rooted in Christ during one of life’s biggest transitions: college. Meg challenges the idea that holiness requires having everything figured out—sharing stories of imperfect saints whose lives reveal a God who meets us exactly where we are and calls us forward.

Episode 196: What Are We Holding On To with Tom Corcoran

August 5th, 2026  |  30 mins 15 secs

ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcast, jesus, oscar rivera, rebuilt, rebuilt parish, the rich young man and the menaing of life, tom corcoran

I sit down with Tom Corcoran, co-founder and president of Rebuilt Parish, to explore one of the most challenging encounters in the Gospels: Jesus and the Rich Young Man. Drawing from his new book, Tom unpacks why this story continues to speak to every Christian wrestling with the tension of happiness. Together, we discuss how Jesus always begins with love before inviting us to the cross.

Three Takeaways:

Jesus loves us before He challenges us. Every invitation to sacrifice begins with an encounter rooted in His love and desire for our happiness.

Idols take many forms. Wealth, status, comfort, family, entertainment, and even good things can become obstacles when they take God's rightful place.

Mission begins with surrender. Personal conversion and parish renewal both start by letting go of what keeps us from fully following Christ.

Episode 195: Beyond the Church Walls with Andy Churray

July 20th, 2026  |  45 mins 2 secs

andy churray, authentic relationships, ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcast, evangelization, mission, missionaries, oscar rivera, share the gospel, vagabond missios

Oscar welcomes Andy Churray, president of Vagabond Missions, to Ave Spotlight for a conversation about what it means to live on mission. Andy shares how Vagabond Missions brings the Gospel to inner-city neighborhoods by reaching young people who are often overlooked by traditional ministry. Rooted in Jesus' words that "the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head," their mission isn't built on flashy programs but on a simple philosophy: make a friend, be a friend, and bring a friend to Christ. Through stories of authentic relationships, Andy reminds listeners that evangelization begins not with projects or programs, but with presence, grace, and the courage to go where others will not.

Episode 194: Beyond the Scoreboard feat. Santonio Hill

June 22nd, 2026  |  34 mins 23 secs

Discipleship, Sports, ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcast, discipline, eucharistic adoration, faith, oscar rivera, sacrifice, santonio hill, spiritual growth

Oscar welcomes Santonio Hill for a conversation that bridges the worlds of sports, faith, and discipleship. Together, we explore why people passionately identify with teams, wear their colors, defend their loyalty, and find community through sports. But what might happen if that same energy were directed toward a relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church?

Drawing from the examples of elite athletes, Santonio challenges listeners to embrace the discipline, sacrifice, and consistency required for spiritual growth. Through his personal conversion story in Eucharistic Adoration, he reveals how falling in love with God transformed his life and gave him a mission greater than himself.

Episode 191: Motherhood’s Humble Confidence feat. Pamela Rivera

May 12th, 2026  |  53 mins 40 secs

Mother's Day, Motherhood, Prayer, ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcast, eucharistic adoration, feminine genius, humility, marriage, oscar rivera, pamela rivera

In this episode, my wife, Pamela Rivera, joins me for a heartfelt conversation about how motherhood changes when our prayer life and interior life begin to deepen. Pam encourages listeners to embrace humility, rediscover the beauty of silence, and make space for the Lord to speak in the quiet moments of Adoration. Sometimes what our souls need most is less noise and more time in God’s presence.

In this conversation, we explore:

Why pride stands in opposition to the feminine genius

How trust in God’s providence grows when we take courageous leaps of faith

Whether marriage is more like a football team or a track team—and why the difference matters

Plus, I sit down with my own mother to ask one simple question: “What was I like as a kid?”

Episode 190: Climb Anyway with Joshua Rosa

April 28th, 2026  |  34 mins 1 sec

ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcast, catholicism, joshua rosa, made for this mountain podcast, oscar rivera, stepping out of comfort zones

Josh Rosa joins Oscar to unpack the mindset needed to overcome life’s “mountains.” From stepping beyond comfort zones to rejecting performative faith, he explores how real transformation begins with action—not just emotion. This conversation challenges listeners to stop waiting, start moving, and trust that God meets them in the climb.

Episode 188: The Ride of Our Life: Holy Week Reflections

March 30th, 2026  |  29 mins 23 secs

Prayer, almsgiving, ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcast, fasting, holy week, lent, oscar rivera

In this Holy Week reflection, Oscar looks back on the Lenten journey—its highs and lows—and considers how God meets us in all of it. As beloved sons and daughters, we can trust that he responds to every effort we make. But how are we called to respond in return?

We’re not made to avoid suffering, but to embrace it with gratitude and grace, trusting that even our hardships have purpose. This week, as we walk more closely with Jesus, we remember that we’re already strapped into the ride of his love. The question is: will we trust him enough to pull the cord and follow where he leads?

Episode 183: More Than a Houston Texans Fan with "Ultimate Fan" Steve Beckholt

January 19th, 2026  |  35 mins 42 secs

ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcast, fathers teaching their sons to be faithful, football and faith, houston texans ultimate fan, living the catholic faith, steve beckholt

Oscar Rivera welcomes Steve Beckholt—a devout Catholic, Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, and Houston Texans “Ultimate Fan”—for a conversation that blends football passion with fearless faith. From praying the Rosary for strength to standing by a team through criticism, Steve draws powerful parallels between lifelong fandom and steadfast devotion. This episode challenges listeners to live their faith boldly, lead their families by example, and remain rooted in Christ even when the noise gets loud.